Montana Mountain AZ

Montana mountain is a nice loop in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. The trail itself is relatively easy, but scenery is excellent. The trail starts in the desert surrounded by saguaros, you slowly climb up to above 5,000' and are among the pinion pines with a ponderosa mixed in here and there. The backside of the loop you drop back down to the desert floor and you do it quickly down numerous tight switchbacks. There are plenty of places to pull over, eat lunch, and take in the views. Lots of small water crossings too, great trail!

This day we had a variety of rides, My Tacoma, a couple FJs and a JK and XJ.

 

Nice, how long did it take? I am thinking of hitting that trail or maybe belmont mountain or four peaks when I am there.

Any recommendations for those 3? Not looking to spend a whole day or anything super difficult, just something that has some bad-ass scenery and could require 4wd in a few parts. Anything that overlooks Phoenix like this? Also has to be full size friendly, not looking to scrap up the sides with brush...

Tyler

 

I think it took us around 4 hrs. You could make it longer depend on stops, lunch break, etc. plenty of room for full size vehicles. Either this or Four Peaks would get you want you want. I have not done Belmont so I couldn't say on that. Four Peaks gets into the higher elevation, you would also have to turn around and come back the way you came or you could make it a loop with the apache trail. The 4 peaks/apache trail loop would be very scenic, apache trail is just a dirt road, but it does have fish creek hill and goes by all the lakes. If you do that route, just plan for a full day as that's a lot of miles.

All these trails are pretty far out from Phoenix. If you are looking for something that overlooks the city, you could try taking the road up to the top of SouthMountain. Its a paved road, but its right in the city and gives you excellent views. You could also hike up any of the numerous trails on South Mountain if paved roads aren't your thing.

 

I do Four Peaks all the time and you have to watch out for quads and cycles... lots of traffic on the weekends. In fact my photo has Four Peaks in the back ground. Is there much traffic on Montana Mountain Loop? BTW I like the music you used for the video - who was it?

 

There can be good amount of side by sides out there too. Of course though it depends on the weekend. I've been out there where its been minimal, but this last time there was a lot. Turns out it was some big meet up for a facebook group for side by sides. Just random bad luck with it being the same day. Genreally not as bad as four peaks. Most people run Montana mountain in the same direction. Its 2 way traffic, but 90% of it is going the one way. Four peak, most people go up and back, its pretty empty on the backside.

 

Was 4WD required anywhere or would this be a 2WD friendly trip?

 

It could be done in 2wd, probably not a low to the ground passenger car, but a truck/suv yes.

 

The music is some free stuff offered up on youtube.

 

@cw50must - Just did Four Peaks Sunday for the first time. Hit the trailhead just before 7:00, not busy at all but all the shooting stub trails were full. You are right, the backside is e-m-p-t-y... but beautiful!

For Montana, which way or direction is the 90%-er way? Would hate to be "that guy".
Against the arrows or with? (Not my markup)


Thanks

 

Against the arrows, you will want to start from the road to queen valley.

 

Thanks! Added to my list.